The Time Machine

I treated myself the other week to a new watch. I have three watches all of which had stopped. There was the Rotary, bought by my wife years ago. I stopped wearing it after the metal strap broke a second time. I had intended to get it repaired but didn't. Instead I wore my Ben Sherman watch; until its leather strap decayed away. I never wore the plasticky "Orange" watch - a gift from my mobile network provider.

I hadn't worn a watch for a couple of years; I didn't need one anyway, there's my mobile or the lap-top or the desk-top computer. They have the time and date and year to the nearest gnat's fart, what need I something hanging on my left wrist.

But recently I've been missing not having a watch. I rummaged in my bottom...drawers and turned out the three watches. Each one would need a new battery; no great expense. Looking at the Rotary, a nice time-piece, I imagined the hassle in getting a new metal strap. The Ben Sherman was ok but frankly not worth the effort of getting a battery and a new strap. As for the "Orange" gift watch - that was a non starter - it was completely disposable.

Slowly the thought grew in my head. If I was to buy a watch it would have to be pretty neat. I spent many an afternoon looking in shop windows in Westfields shopping mall. One weekday I went into all the watch shops. The ones I thought I could afford, I didn't like, the one's I liked were too pricey.

And that's how things remained.

Now I don't know how or why it happened but I decided that if I was going to get a watch, it had to have a mechanical movement, and it had to be Swiss or German. With that in mind I started rummaging through the net. You won't believe how many boutique German/Austrian and Swiss watch makers there are. Many seem to concentrate on one model only; usually an aviator or diving watch. Others produce exquisite designs - a one man band creating a few watches a year.

Quite a few of these were surprisingly not outrageously expensive. Nowhere near the Rolex price point. Luckily I wasn't interested in massive status statements. What I wanted was a classic face, sweeping second hand and a date window.

When I'm unsure of a market I invariably head to John Lewis. Sure enough they had loads of watches - including automatic (self winding) mechanical movements. But what choice: name your price. What could I afford, or more correctly what could I justify to myself (and the missus)? Less than £1,000?

Looking at what was on display, the cheapest watch that I thought matched my specification was just short of £900. I have never spend £900 on anything as inconsequential as a watch. However, the more I looked at it, the more I desired it. I could see it sitting elegantly on my wrist, understated but clearly an object of some class and discernment. And then I thought of my newish Marks and Spencer credit card. I applied for that deliberately to get the 18 months interest free period on purchases. I'd be a fool not to take the opportunity to buy this most desirable watch - interest free. A regular monthly payment of a couple of hundred would see that off in no time!

So I did, I bought myself an ORIS "Artelier". It has a glass back so I can stare at the wonderful Swiss movement, and the second hand sweeps round so smoothly. Even the clasp of the leather strap is a thing of beauty and precision.

And it's arrival was like a state visit. The watch was contained in what can only be described as a cabinet, with a separate compartment for the instruction booklet and my own registration card, with the model and serial numbers stamped out in an impressive typeface. Status or what!

It was a huge expense, a sheer indulgence. But I haven't been so pleased with a new purchase for years. It's not electronic, it's not "run of the mill". It carries with it a history of invention and improvement over a couple of hundred years. It has tiny, tiny moving parts, made out  of steel. It is beautiful!

I've switched to a monthly SIM only mobile deal now I'm out of contract. That'll save me £20 a month so I'm not too extravagant am I?

Comments

PigmundFreud said…
Interesting insight into yr mind. Starts with I hadn't worn a watch for a couple of years.... I didn't need one anyway....other devices have the time and date and year to the nearest gnat's fart ....and ends with go on then let's splash £900 on one of these useless tnings! A parable for our times I would say. Look forward to the I don't need a holiday but what the hell have booked a round the world cruise anyway saga
Marginalia said…
Dear PF, how true! Who can fathom the workings of a befuddled retiree's mind.

I do, however, think there's something magical about mechanical things, a view shared by many; witness the fascination in all things Victorian - the great mechanical age.

Anonymous said…
Thank you for your efforts to stimulate the econoomy! What is the credit limit on yr card?
Steve said…
I'll give you three weeks before you scratch it during a household chore.

;-)

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